Claimer: My Blog, My POV

Occasionally, I will mention my job, my public service activities, and other aspects of my life to offer my readers a better perspective on where I'm coming from. But to be clear:

"The views that I express represent my own opinions, based on my own education and experience, not the opinions of any other entity, party, or group to which I belong. I give these opinions in my individual capacity, as a private citizen, and as someone who gives a good gosh darn about his community, his country, and the truth."

Noem said she has read “most” of the bill and feels informed on it. She voted for a resolution in the state House this past session to oppose the designation [Tom Lawrence, "Noem Opposes Wilderness Legislation," Mitchell Daily Republic, 2010.09.09].

OpenCongress.org measures S.3310, the Tony Dean Cheyenne River Valley Conservation Act of 2010, at about six pages. Princess Kristi couldn't take time to read all of six pages. She apparently just read the talking points Senator Thune handed her.

Had Noem read the actual bill (or even my humble blog coverage thereof from June), she would have learned that nearly every point of opposition she raises to the bill is bogus:

"I believe this federal land grab is a solution in search of a problem." False: this bill takes no land away from private owners. The wilderness area is already entirely federal lands.

"We should continue what has worked in order to preserve and protect these lands and to ensure these lands are available to be enjoyed by the public." True... and S. 3310 continues current practices. Current grazing rights are protected. Current state fish and wildlife management practices are protected. Fire, critter, and disease management practices are continued. Access by soldiers, Indians, and private landowners is protected. We just won't go in and sell off this land for further development.

"It would threaten the rights and livelihoods of those with grazing permits in the proposed wilderness areas..." False.

"...it also has the potential to compromise the control of forest fires, prairie dogs, and noxious weeds in the designated areas." False and false.

"Our federal forests have been neglected and mismanaged by the bureaucracy and now we are dealing with an extremely serious pine beetle epidemic and the threat of catastrophic fire." Fa—what? Federal management will not lead to a pine beetle infestation of grasslands. And the catastrophic fire risk in the Black Hills comes from all of us (yup, my fault, too) wanting nice thick stands of pine for pretty pictures as well as residential developments packed hither and yon right where good healthy forest fires might blow through.

"There is overwhelming local opposition to S 3310." False!The only survey out there shows Pennington County voters favor the Tony Dean Cheyenne River Valley Conservation Act by a 61% to 34%. Among Custer County voters, the split is 53% for, 39% against. Noem's boosters have cited smaller poll margins than that as signs of overwhelming support for their candidate.

I saw a poll that was published in the Mitchell Daily Republic a day or two ago. The poll was put on by the DSCC and Stephanie was ahead by a whopping 11 %. Cory, maybe you could put that up on the main page or do some checking, but it looks and I hope south dakota will just say no to crazy kristi. This is a great site and you do a good job.

Mark this down. First time grudznick agrees with this Corey fellow that runs this blog. First time. Noem is pandering here. She'll still win, and isn't in Pelosi's pocket, but she's pandering to the hardcore ignorants in deep west river. BAH!

Mr. Jones, I thought you ran away after Sattgast sent incorrect and bogus emails about your candidate. I'm glad to see you back.

Troy:1. It is already federal ground.2. It consolidates ground under two departments into one.3. Huh?4. Pests? Get real.5. There is no pine beetle problem; there is a pine/human problem.6. The opposition is coming from special interests.